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About
Natalie Webb Obituary
Lally was born on May 12, 1936 to Mary Farrand Hall and J. Kenneth Hall, a stockbroker. She grew up in Manhattan, attending the Brearly School, Miss Porter's School, and Smith College. After graduating from Smith, her father complained "I have spent a fortune on your education and you haven't learned a damn thing!" She then went to the Harvard-Radcliffe Program in Business Administration.
Following graduation from Radcliffe, she married Jean Francis Webb IV and had three children, Martha (Muffie), Kenneth (Kip), and Stewart (Tad). The family settled in Brooklyn Heights in November 1963, where Lally lived until 2019. Her marriage ended in divorce.
While the children were young, Lally busied herself with volunteer work for the Junior League and for the Brooklyn Women's Exchange. As the children went off to high school and college, Lally started a long career at J&W Seligman, a US investment bank, from which she retired in the late 1990s.
In the second half of her life, Lally made the most of life in New York City. She was an ardent supporter of the performing arts, subscribing to the Metropolitan Opera, attending Broadway shows as soon as they opened and traveling to the Glimmerglass Festival for the summer opera season. She was also a great lover of fine dining, frequently observing that "Some people eat to live. I live to eat!"
Belying her quip about the Devil, Lally was an active church-goer and prayed everyday. For over 35 years, she was a member of Plymouth Church of the Pilgrims, singing in the choir and hosting the annual Christmas party at her home. In her later years, she became an Episcopalian and joined Grace Church of Brooklyn Heights.
Lally is survived by her daughter, Martha Vernon, of Hawthorne, NJ and son, Kip, of San Francisco, CA. She was preceded in death by her son, Tad. She is also survived by six loving grandchildren and one great-grandchild. All will miss her love of life, her penchant for salty language, and her hilarious storytelling.
A celebration of her life is planned for this Fall at Grace Church.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Lee Scott
May 6, 2025
Lally was such a fun person, a great neighbor, a pal at Plymouth, and I can't even remember the other organizations we shared. She lived just around the corner from Peter and me, and we saw each other regularly both in the neighborhood and at Plymouth, where we've been members for more than 50 years. She was always such fun to be with, knew all sorts of things about which I knew nothing, and was smiley, friendly, fun, and a bad actor along with me!! We didn't get into big trouble by any means, but we did enjoy doing things a little off the line. Loved going to show, some movies, and walks on the Promenade. I do miss her, and her great family which we got to see fairly regularly! Hugs to you all, and yell if there's something I can do for you! I'd love to have a visit with any or all of you, most anytime before June when we head out of town for the summer! Keep smiling, remember how wonderful your mom was, and how many friends she had here in the Heights who loved her dearly and miss her a lot!! xo, Lee
Erik Furmark
December 4, 2024
I just now learned of Mrs. Webb´s passing. I am sorry for your loss. The last I spoke with her was sometime in April 2020 to inform her of the passing of my mom, Gwen. They were extremely close. My mom & Lally were in the Heights Players together and if memory is correct also sometimes in dance/exercise class with Buzz Drake, along with Dorothy Stasney as well. I also remember once at our appartement we had a party and Lally attended despite having a shaved Head from brain surgery due to annuerism... I remember her seeing me walk into the kitchen saying something like: « don´t mind me Erik, i may look scary, but you´re safe with me, don´t worry » proving she cared about others comfort being around her. I also enclose a picture from the Heights Players from sometime around 1969 or early early 70s... Lally on far right, my mom Gwen in yellow, and their friend Karen Richter next to my mom in yellow. By the way, Karen died january 12,2024 of alzheimers. Sadly all the legends the best of the best of Brooklyn Heights of the 70s, 80s are passing away. I´m so sorry for your loss. Shes with Tadd now. Tadd used to walk me to school. No wonder he was à beautiful soûl. The Webb family took after their mom. I send you hugs & love. I´m sorry for your loss.
Melissa Fernandez
July 25, 2024
My sweet friend.
II am her hairdresser..
Really going to miss her.
She came in ready to go willing to meet anyone part of everything
I loved her style picked it up moment we met.
Don´t use the word friend often.
She was one of a kind
Love Melissa
RIP
Xo
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David Mahoney
July 19, 2024
Kip and Muffie, deepest condolences on Lally's passing. The woman certainly knew how to take over a room! She is the last of the Titans, and will be missed but long remembered.
Dorothy Stasney deGraffenried
July 19, 2024
Dorothy Stasney deGraffenrird
Lally and I did many things together however, this particular occasion comes to mind. Lally and I had just attended a Broadway show in which a friend of mine was performing. At the end of the show we waited to greet my friend. As he came toward us I noticed that he had another man with him. He introduced the other man and in the excitement I missed his name except for the "Sir" which preceded the name.
They asked Lally and I if we had enjoyed the show. With that Lally launched into a directorial review which she delivered as only Lally could! We then said our goodbys and went our separate ways.
The next morning a received a call from my friend asking "who was that woman you were with last night" it turned out that the man Lally was giving directorial advice was the director of the show! "Sir" was an Oliver winning director of the London stage!
Francesca Norsen Tate
July 18, 2024
I first met Lally at a holiday party she hosted for us students in the Packer Collegiate Chorus, during the years Warren Swenson was music director. She was gracious and fun. I remember Muffie and Tad well; actually Tad and I were quite friendly, I had a crush on him before leaving Packer for boarding school after 9th grade. The next occasion in which I re-met Lally years later was at a Plymouth Church Concert, in which we discovered we had both been graduated from Miss Porter's! She recognized my class ring. As we became more acquainted, I grew to love her insouciante, naughty sense of humor. She was always very straightforward. She was also a very deeply prayerful person. After my husband's death, Lally told me on several occasions that she prayed for me daily, which I found a great comfort. I have every faith that she is with God, singing in a heavenly choir, and that everyone who has gone before us are enjoying her sense of humor.
Dinny Moore
July 17, 2024
Lally was my roommate at Smith College during our Junior year spent in Geneva and our Senior year back in MA. I can definitely attest to everything in the previous words. A favorite memory occurred when she visited us in RI - I took her to a nearby farm where she was able to extract an egg from under a hen and insisted that I take her home immediately so she could eat it! Warm memories of our friendship will remain forever!
Lee Scott
July 16, 2024
Dear Muffie, So sad about your mom......she was so much fun and such a great neighbor. Always enjoyed just hanging out with her - lots of laughs, and often some really great conversation. She was smart, thoughtful, loving, kind, and funny! Miss her lots, and send my love and lots of hugs to you all. xo, Lee
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